Container for an extrusion press



1959 c. G. A. SWANSON 2,867,321

CONTAINER FOR AN EXTRUSION PRESS Filed June 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

: l f I f 47' TOP/14575.

Jan. 6, 19 c. G. A. SWANSON CONTAINER FOR AN EXTRUSION PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 3. 1955 a is 4'0 29' IN VEN TOR.

/0 Q4! ZW G10 MAM AITdP/Vflfi CONTAINER FOR AN EXTRUSION PRESS Carl G. A. Swanson, Kenmore, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Lake Erie Machinery Corporation, Buiialo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 3, 1955, Serial No. 512,999

1 Claim. (Cl. 207-45) This invention relates to an extrusion press and more particularly to a heavy duty press for producing an extrusion having a major cross sectional dimension greatly exceeding any of its transverse cross sectional dimensions from an elongated hot billet of substantially uniform shape in cross section and which has a minor cross sectional dimension and a major cross sectional dimension.

The invention relates to that type of extrusion press having a holder for a die provided with a die opening conforming to the cross sectional shape of the extrusion, the press also having a cross head movable toward and from the die in a direction in line with the die opening and the cross head including a billet container having a through opening in line with the die. The extrusion press also has a main plunger in line with the die and movable longitudinally through the billet container opening toward engagement with the die so as to force the metal from the hot billet through the die opening and thereby produce the extrusion.

In the extrusion of shapes having cross sectional dimensions which do not differ greatly from one another, the container is provided with a cylindrical through bore and a cylindrical billet is loaded into this bore. With sufiicient pressure applied by the main plunger, substantially all the metal of the billet is readily forced through the die opening to produce the extrusion. However, where the die opening is of large size and has a major cross sectional dimension substantially exceeding in size any of its transverse cross sectional dimensions, it is impracticable to use a cylindrical billet, both because the billet would have to be of excessively large diameter in order to encompass the major dimension of the die opening and also because excessive pressure would be required to displace the metal at the periphery of such a large cylindrical billet transversely of the major dimension of the die opening. l

Accordingly, in the production of such extrusions having a major cross sectional dimension substantially exceeding any of its transverse cross sectional dimensions, it is the practice to provide a pair of liners in the container which jointly provide a billet receiving bore which bore is out-of-round in cross section and has a major and a minor cross sectional dimension alining, respectively, with the major and minor cross sectional dimensions of the die opening. A hot billet, of substantially the same cross sectional shape as this bore provided by these liners, is inserted into this bore and the metals extruded by a plunger having substantially the same cross sectional shape as the billet. With such an out-ofround billet receiving bore, the outward pressures of the metal of the billet against the internal surface of the bore are, of course, unequal, the pressures in the direction of the major cross sectional dimension ofthe bore being very substantially less than the pressures in the direction of the minor cross sectional dimension of the 2,367,321 Patented Jan. 6, 1959 sures and, at the same time, are under compressive forces only. 'In so expanding away from each other, the pressure of the billet is transmitted through the liner sections to the billet container which is made sufliciently strong to withstand such pressures.

However, with the liner being in the form of two counterpart sections, difiiculty has been experienced in preventing the escape of metal from the billet through the parting line or joints between the two counterpart liner sections.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an extrusion press having such counterpart liners jointly providing an out-of-round bore adapted to receive a hot billet in which the counterpart liners are so formed as to prevent the escape of metal through the joints or parting lines between the two liner sections and, at the same time, permit the liner sections to separate under extrusion pressures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such liner sections in which the cross sectional shape of the billet container bore provided by these sections is not substantially altered by such separation of these liner sections under extrusion pressures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a billet container structure having such liner sections which adequately resist the forces being transmitted through the liner sections by the metal being extruded.

Another object is to provide such counterpart liner sections which are of simple and inexpensive construction and which can be produced at little cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section through an extrusion press taken generally on line 11, Fig. 2 and showing, in elevation, the cross head carrying a billet container carrying a bushing lined with liner sections embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the press and showing the die, die holder, billet container cross head, billet, dummy block and main plunger in elevation.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged vertical transverse sections through the billet, dummy block and main plunger, respectively, these cross sections being substantially identical.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section taken generally on line '6.6, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken generally on line 7-7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the billet under extrusion pressure and also showing the manner in which the contacting surfaces of the two counterpart liner sections are sealed to prevent the escape of metal into the joints between these liner sections. This view shows an exaggeration of the separation of these liner sections under extrusion pressures. I

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section through the die, this section being taken on line 99, Fig. 7.

The present invention is essentially concerned with the liner sections for a billet container for an extrusion press and details of the extrusion press not directly associated with the billet container are not illustrated in detail. Thus the extrusion press forming the subject of the present invention is mounted on a bed 10 and the main section of the press comprises a stationary die platen (not shown) die and'cylinder platens are securely held together at the four corners thereof by the usual four large horizontal columns 16.

The present invention is directed to the production. of an extrusion having a major. cross sectional dimension substantially exceeding any of its transverse cross sectional dimensions. Thus, as illustrated, the extrusion has the form of the opening I8 through the die 12, this opening being shown as being in the form of a wide horizontal slot 19, forming the major cross sectional dimension of the extrusion, and from the center of which slot 19 a plurality of small ribs 20 rise and from the ends of which slot 19 small L-shaped ribs 21' rise in opposing relation to each other. The die opening 18, and hence the extrusion, therefore has a major cross sectional dimension (horizontal) substantial exceeding any of its transverse (vertical) cross sectional dimensions. Of course, this particular shape of the opening 18 in the die 12 is not critical and is merely an example of a type: of a die opening which could not be extruded from a cylindrical billet. This is because a cylindrical billet would have to be, of excessive size to encompass the major (horizontal) cross sectional dimension of the die opening 18' and also because the metal from the upper and lower parts of such an oversize cylindrical billet could not be forced through the relatively small horizontally elongated die opening.

Accordingly, the billet 14, illustrated in Fig. 3, follows the general overall cross sectional form of the die opening 18 and hence is shown as being of horizontally flattened form having an upper fiat face 22 and a lower flat face 23 arranged in relatively closely spaced relation to each other and terminating in angular side faces 22 and 23, respectively, which side faces meet in more or less pointed edges 24. It will particularly be observed that each of the faces 22' and 23 are inclined at an acute angle or curve to the major (horizontal) cross sectional dimension of the billet, this being an important feature. Such a billet is of the required low and broad form in cross section to be readily forced through the die opening 18 which is also generally of low and broad form in cross section, butwith the billet being of such out-of-round form in cross section it is also necessarythat the bore 25 through the split billet container liner 26 generally conform; to the cross sectional shape of the billet 14. Accordingly, as best shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 8, the through bore 25 in the billet container liner 26 has a flat surface or wall 28 in closely spaced relation to a parallel flat lower face or wall 29 and these two faces merge into inclined end faces or part walls 30 311(1'31, respectively, which converge or slope toward each other and toward a separating line of the liner sections to generally conform to the inclined faces 22 and 23', respectively, which meet to form the relatively'sharp or pointed edges 24, 24 of the billet 14. I

The dummy block and main plunger 13 are of generally the same cross sectional shape and size as the billet 14, as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

With the bore 25 in the billet container liner 26,- being of such flattened form having inclined end faces as is withthe form of bore 25 shown the vertical pressures of the billet being extruded against the horizontal surfaces' 28, '29 of the bore 25 greatly exceed the horizontal pressures of the billet against the inclined end faces 30,- 31 thereof.

It is impractical to make a one-piece container liner having a bore of such cross sectional formas the bore 25 illustrated and it is heretofore, been proposed to. make the container liner of two pieces or counterpart sections 26a and 26b. However, up to the advent of the present invention no adequate sealing means has been provided for preventing escape of the metal of the billet being a extruded into the joints between the two parts or sections of the billet container liner.

In accordance with the present invention the counterpart liner sections 26a, 26b of the billet container separate adjacent the convergent extremities of the faces 30, 31 thereof and have parallel parting faces or surfaces 32, 33. These parting faces or surfaces 32, 33 are adapted to contact each other and at each side of the liner 26 terminate in an external cylindroidal face 34, the faces 34 being concentric with each other. The upper and lower external faces 35 of the liner 26 are flat and parallel and each mates with the flat face 36 of a corresponding semi'cylindrical spacer 38. The other face 39 of each semicylindrical spacer is cylindroidal and is concentric and forms a continuation of the cylindroidal faces 34 or" the two-part liner 26.

The counterpart sections 26a and 26b of the liner 26 as well as the semicylindrical spacers 38 are held in assembled relation with one another by a cylindrical bushing 40 the cylindroidal faces 34, 39 of the liner 26' and spacers 38 fitting in the bore of this bushing. This cylindrical bushing is, in turn, shrunk into the central part 43 of a cross head 44.

The cylindrical bushing 41 is mounted in the central part 43 of a cross head 44 which is movable longitudinally of the main plunger 13 into and out of engagement between the die 12 and the sections 26a and 26b of the liner. This cross head 44 is also shown as including opposite side parts 45 secured, as by screws 46, to the'opposite sides of the central part 43 of the cross head 44. Each'side part 45 is formed at its lower end to provide a shoe 48 the bottom face 49 of which is parallel with the main plunger 13 but inclines'downwardly and outwardly. 7

Each of these underfaces is provided with a wear strip 5% which slides along a rail 52 mounted on a curb 53 which extends along the bed 10 of the press parallel with and partly housing the corresponding bottom horizontal columns 16 of the press. The cross head 44 is moved .along the rails 52 parallel with the main plunger 13 by four piston rods 54 which are actuated by pistons (not shown) carried by the stationary cylinder platen (also not shown).

As'bestshown in Fig. 8, the parallel parting faces 32,

rection of the major (horizontal) transverse dimension of thisbore 25 andof the billet 14. These parting faces or surfaces 32, 33 are, however, out of line with the edges .24 of the billet 14, being well above these edges as illustrated in Fig. 8. The counterpart liner sections 26a. and 26b also have their parting surfaces 32,

33 terminating in opposite pairsof. parallel engaging faces 55, 56 each of which extends in the direction of the minor (vertical) transverse dimension of the billet14' and bore 25. These parallel engaging faces 55, 56 extend from the inner extremities of the parting faces 32,

33, respectively, to the through. bore 25 at the corresponding edge 24 of the billet 14 in this bore. Each face 30 forms with its companion face 55' a Wedge-shaped ridge on the liner section 26a which terminates in a sharp pointed edge 58.

To prevent displacement of the liner sections'2'6a and 26b in either direction they are preferably provided with the end flanges 59 which are set into the semicircular spacers 38 and these spacers are also preferably each provided with an arcuate end flange 60 which is set into the bushing 40 as illustrated in Fig. 7.

In the operation of the press forming the subject of the.

present invention, an elongated hot metal billet, having the cross'sectional shape shown in Fig. '3, is loaded into the through bore 25 provided by the liner sections 261:

billet 14 and it will be noted that the major (horizontal) transverse dimension of the bore 25 is in register with the major transverse dimension of the die opening 18 and that the minor (vertical) dimension of this through bore 25 registers with the minor dimensions of the die opening 18. With the billet 14 and bore 25 of such form, it will be seen that the metal from the billet can readily be forced through the die opening 18 even though the major transverse cross sectional (horizontal) dimension of this die opening very greatly exceeds its minor (vertical) cross sectional dimensions. It will further be seen that it would be impracticable to extrude metal through the die opening 18 from a cylindrical billet since the diameter of the billet would have to be greater than the major transverse (horizontal) dimension of the die opening 18. Not only would excessive pressure be required to efii'ectively act against a cylindrical billet of such large cross sectional diameter, but also would be difiicult to displace the metal from the top and bottom of the billet through the die opening 18 having its major transverse dimension horizontally disposed, as indicated.

It will particularly be noted that the billet 14, thedummy block 15, which is inserted behind the billet, and the plunger 13 each has its major cross sectional dimension terminating in the edges corresponding to the edges 24 of the billet, each of these edges is formed by at least one face of the billet, dummy block and plunger being arranged at an acute angle to the major transverse cross sectional dimension. It will further be noted that the parting faces 32, 33 of the counterpart liner sections 26a and 26b extend toward, but short of, the through bore 25 in the general direction of the major transverse dimension of the billet in the through bore but that each of these parting faces 32, 33 is out of line with the corresponding edge 24 of the billet. It will also be noted that the counterpart sections 26a and 26b of the liner also have opposing pairs of parallel faces 55, 56 which engage each other and which extend in the direction of the minor (vertical) dimension of the billet 14 from the inner extremities of the parting faces 32, 33 toward the corresponding edge 24 of the billet.

Accordingly, when the main plunger 13 is moved to apply extrusion pressure against the dummy block and billet 14, the vertical pressure of the metal forming the billet 14 against the liner sections 26a and 26b causes these liner sections to move vertically apart from each other. This movement is very slight, the amount of movement illustrated in Fig. 8, which shows the billet under extrusion pressures, being very much exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. It will be seen that in such movement, the cross section shape of the billet receiving bore is not greatly altered, this bore being enlarged slightly in response to the high extrusion pressure.

It will further be seen that in such movement, the faces 55 and 56 of the liner sections 26a and 26b merely slide along each other and that there is no opening up of any space between these faces so that, in this movement of the liner sections, no enlarging crack is formed which would permit the escape of metal. It will also be seen that since the faces and 55 of the section 26a provide tapered or wedge-shaped edges 58 at the lines of sealing, the pressure of the extrusion metal horizontally against these edges tends to displace them outwardly and increase their sealing efiect against the faces 56 of the liner section 26b.

It will be noted that during the extrusion operation, the counterpart liner sections 26a and 26b are essentially under compressive force, this force being transmitted principally through the semicylindrical spacers 38 to the central part 43 of the cross head 44.

After the extrusion is completed, the plunger 13 and dummy block 15 are withdrawn, the cross head 44 is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 to permit severing of the discard left at the end of the extrusion, the die 12 is cleaned and the operation is completed.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides an adequate seal between the parting lines of the counterpart liner sections for an extrusion press in which these sections provide a bore which is out-- of-round in cross section, and which seal insures against the escape of extrusion metal through the necessarily enlarged crevices between such counterpart liner sections. It will further be seen that the sealing means forming the principal feature of the present invention can be provided in such liner sections at low cost.

I claim:

A billet container for producing an extrusion having a major cross-sectional dimension and a minor cross-sectional dimension comprising, a pair of counterpart liner sections jointly forming a through bore into contact with the walls of which a billet is expanded by pressure applied from one end of said bore to force the metal from said billet as said extrusion from the opposite end of said bore, said bore having a minor cross-sectional dimension and a major cross-sectional dimension, each of said counterpart liner sections including a wall of said major dimension and having a part wall of said minor dimension at each end thereof creating parting surfaces internally forming a separating line along said bore at opposite sides thereof, at least one face of each section that forms the minor dimension of said bore sloping to said separating line, the parting surfaces of said liner sections transversely extending in separated relation from the exterior thereof toward said bore, and terminating in parallel engaging faces extending in the direction of the minor dimension of said bore to the line of separation of said bore whereby said counterpart liner sections allow expansion of said bore under extrusion pressures in the direction of said minor dimension and resist said expansion in the direction of said major dimension.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 900,401 Loomis Oct. 6, 1908 2,283,791 Clark May 19, 1942 2,385,144 Lorant Sept. 18, 1945 2,389,876 Sequin Nov. 27, 1945 2,671,557 Reichl Mar. 9, 1954 2,728,453 Thweatt et al Dec. 27, 1955 2,748,934 Wheeler June 5, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 376,132 France May 3, 1907 

